THE MICROSCOPE 249 
the hands are left free for work. The stand might 
consist of a block of wood, or metal, for both 
foot and table for the object, and an upright wire 
inserted into the block, as a holder for the lens, 
which should be made to slip up and down on the 
upright, so that focussing can be effected. 
When I was about twelve years old, I was in 
desperation for a microscope, and, alas ! as so often 
happens with youngsters, I had no money. Neces- 
sity was the mother of invention. I begged some 
small lenses which my father had by him, and fitted 
them into cardboard tubes, which I made myself. 
I fixed up a couple of objectives and an eyepiece, 
made a tube for their reception, contrived a stand 
out of some odd bits of wood, used a piece of look- 
ing glass for a reflector, and supplied myself with 
some slips of glass for my objects. Well, that was, 
in truth, a rough-and-ready microscope, but I used 
it until I could get a better one. I mention this 
personal incident to show that ‘“‘ where there’s a 
will there’s a way.” A determined youngster will 
not allow poverty to stand in the way of his studies. 
Determination and brains are the best kind of 
capital of which I have any knowledge. 
.. Perhaps you will permit me to indulge myself in 
another personal note. The microscope which I 
obtained in the second instance was not got for 
the asking. I think it cost me about £3, and it 
would have taken long, weary months for me to 
make up that sum out of my scraps of pocket- 
money. I was determined to have my instrument 
as soon as I could possibly get it. How was I to 
raise the money ? I soon hit upon the solution of 
32 
